Swollen Belly In Fish: Causes And Prevention
Fish are not expressive animals like others, which is why we have to observe them every day to understand if they are in good health. The swollen belly in fish, or dropsy, is one of the most common diseases of the fauna that populates the aquarium. In this article we tell you everything you need to know about it.
Swollen belly in fish: symptoms
Dropsy is abdominal inflammation caused by fluid retention in the animal’s tissues. It is easy to recognize, especially if the problem is at an advanced stage. The most visible symptoms are:
- Swollen belly.
- Swelling of the eye area.
- Redness of the anal area or at the base of the fins.
- Lack of appetite.
- Darkening of the skin.
- Pallor in the branches.
- Difficulty of evacuation.
If dropsy progresses, the swelling increases to the point that the scales can separate from the body. If this happens, the animal has little chance of survival. It is possible to observe the fish swimming belly up or to the side, as it loses its buoyancy.
Causes of swollen belly in fish
The direct cause of abdominal bloating in fish is water retention, caused by a kidney or bowel disorder. The pathology, however, is due to external agents:
- Bacteria. Aeromonas and Mycobacterium represent the main cause of abdominal bloating in fish. Particular attention must be paid to the temperature of the aquarium to avoid the proliferation of bacteria and other parasites. The Aeromonas live at temperatures above 26 ºC and proliferate in the presence of dissolved organic material. The Mycobacterium can also cause hemorrhagic sepsis following an internal infection.
- Viral agents. Symptoms caused by viruses are similar to those caused by bacteria.
- Unbalanced nutrition. If fish food is not moistened a few minutes before ingestion, it can clog the animal’s intestines.
- Parasites of different types.
- Bad water conditions. The large amounts of nitrites and ammonia present in aquarium water can cause dropsy. It is therefore necessary to check the state of the filters to keep the water in which the fish swim in good conditions.
Fish more prone to dropsy
Freshwater fish tend to suffer more from dropsy ; but this disorder can also affect some marine specimens.
The species most prone to abdominal swelling are those of the belontidae, cichlid and viviparous family. In this group we find guppy and molly fish.
It is also a common condition among cold water fish, aquariums and ponds. Koi carp and goldfish are the most affected species.
Treatment of abdominal bloating in fish
The help of a veterinarian is essential in the choice of treatment, since the disease can be caused by various causes.
In addition to this, if it is bacterial dropsy, the healthcare professional may prescribe a broad spectrum antibiotic, as well as anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce abdominal bloating in fish.
If the problem is of a digestive nature, it is advisable to allow a short period of fasting to pass until the intestinal transit improves and evacuation by the animal. At a later time, it will be essential to pay more attention to food.
Guaranteeing the correct water quality is undoubtedly the preventive measure par excellence. We must make sure that the aquarium complies with the necessary conditions of cleaning, temperature, pH and filtering.
Precisely respecting the aquarium water parameters is very important to keep the aquatic flora and fauna healthy and free from infectious agents. To prevent diseases such as the one described in this article, filters, thermometers and general conditions of the aquarium should be checked periodically.
